Lavender Oil: Benefits and How to Make Your Own

Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular and versatile essential oils in aromatherapy. Derived from the flowers of the lavender plant, primarily Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender), this oil is renowned for its calming and healing properties. With a history dating back thousands of years, lavender essential oil has been used for everything from perfumery to medicine. Today, it remains a staple in holistic health practices, known for its ability to reduce stress, promote relaxation, improve sleep, and heal various skin conditions. 

History of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years, with its origins traced back to the Mediterranean, Middle East, and India. The name “lavender” comes from the Latin word “lavare,” meaning “to wash,” reflecting its traditional use in baths and cleansing rituals.

The ancient Egyptians used lavender for mummification and as perfume. The Greeks and Romans valued lavender for its medicinal and fragrant properties, using it in baths, cooking, and as an air purifier. During the Middle Ages, lavender was widely used in Europe for treating ailments, repelling insects, and preserving clothing.

The distillation of lavender essential oil began in the 16th century, and by the 19th century, it became an integral part of aromatherapy and traditional medicine, especially in France. Its popularity grew exponentially during World War I when it was used as an antiseptic in hospitals to disinfect wounds.

What is Lavender Essential Oil?

Lavender essential oil is extracted from the flowers of the lavender plant through steam distillation. Its light, floral, and slightly sweet aroma makes it a favorite in perfumes, soaps, and candles. This oil contains several active compounds, including linalool, linalyl acetate, and camphor, contributing to its therapeutic effects.

Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil offers a wide range of benefits, from promoting relaxation to treating skin conditions. Here’s a closer look at some of its most notable health and wellness benefits:

Stress and Anxiety Relief

Lavender essential oil is well-known for its calming properties, making it highly effective in reducing stress and anxiety. Inhaling the soothing aroma of lavender can help lower cortisol levels, promoting relaxation. Studies have shown that lavender aromatherapy can reduce anxiety symptoms and promote calmness in stressful situations.

How to Use:

• Add a few drops to an essential oil diffuser or oil burner to create a relaxing atmosphere.
• Apply diluted oil to pulse points such as wrists and temples to alleviate anxiety.
• Use in bathwater for a calming soak.

Improves Sleep Quality

Lavender essential oil is often used as a natural remedy for insomnia and sleep disturbances. Its sedative properties help calm the nervous system and promote restful sleep. It is commonly used in sleep sprays, pillow mists, and bedtime massage oils.

How to Use:

• Add a few drops to your pillow or bedding before sleep.
• Diffuse lavender essential oil in the bedroom to promote relaxation.
• Apply a diluted blend of oil to the soles of the feet before bedtime for a calming effect.

Relieves Headaches and Migraines

Lavender essential oil can help alleviate headaches and migraines, especially those triggered by stress or tension. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties reduce headache symptoms, while its calming effects address the emotional and physical tension often associated with headaches.

How to Use:

• Dilute lavender essential oil with a carrier oil (such as coconut or almond oil) and massage it onto the temples, neck, and shoulders.
• Inhale oil directly from the bottle or add a few drops to a tissue for quick relief.

Soothes Skin Conditions

Lavender essential oil’s anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties make it an excellent remedy for various skin conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It helps reduce redness, swelling, and irritation, and its antimicrobial properties help prevent infection in minor cuts, burns, and insect bites.

How to Use:

• Dilute lavender essential oil with a carrier oil and apply it to affected areas of the skin.
• Add a few drops to a bath to soothe irritated or inflamed skin.
• Use in homemade skincare products, such as lotions or balms, to treat acne or dermatitis.

Heals Burns and Wounds

Lavender essential oil is often used as a natural treatment for minor burns and wounds. Its antiseptic properties help prevent infection, while its anti-inflammatory effects speed up the healing process. Additionally, it can help reduce scarring and pain associated with burns.

How to Use:

• Apply diluted oil directly to burns, scrapes, or wounds to promote healing.
• Combine lavender oil with aloe vera gel for added soothing relief.

Pain Relief

Lavender essential oil effectively relieves pain caused by muscle soreness, joint pain, and arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties help reduce swelling and ease discomfort.

How to Use:

• Massage lavender essential oil, diluted with a carrier oil, onto sore muscles or joints.
• Add a few drops to a warm bath to relieve pain and inflammation.

Antimicrobial Properties

The lavender essential oil has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It can help prevent infections and reduce the growth of harmful bacteria on the skin. It is particularly effective in treating fungal infections like athlete’s foot and ringworm.

How to Use:

• Apply diluted oil to fungal infections to help inhibit their growth.
• Use lavender oil in homemade cleaning products to harness its antimicrobial effects.

Improves Mood

Lavender essential oil is not only calming but also uplifting. It can help improve mood, reduce feelings of depression, and promote emotional balance. The pleasant aroma of lavender can bring comfort and relieve feelings of sadness or irritability.

How to Use:

• Diffuse it in your home to create a positive, serene atmosphere.
• Inhale lavender oil directly for a quick mood boost.

Safety and Precautions

While lavender essential oil is generally safe for most people, there are a few precautions to keep in mind:

Dilution: Always dilute lavender essential oil with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin. Undiluted essential oils can cause irritation or allergic reactions.

Allergic Reactions: If you have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, do a patch test before using lavender essential oil. Apply a small amount of diluted oil to the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours to check for any reactions.

Pregnancy and Nursing: Pregnant and nursing women should consult with a healthcare provider before using lavender essential oil, as its effects during pregnancy are not fully understood.

Ingestion: Lavender essential oil should not be ingested unless under the guidance of a healthcare professional or aromatherapist, as it can be toxic when consumed in large amounts.

How to Make Lavender Oil

Making lavender oil at home is straightforward, though it’s important to note that you’ll be making an infused oil rather than a distilled essential oil. Lavender-infused oil captures the beneficial properties of lavender, but it’s less concentrated than essential oil. 

Materials Needed

• Dried lavender buds (fresh lavender can also be used, but dried lavender prevents potential mold or spoilage)
• Carrier oil (such as olive oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil)
• Clean, airtight glass jar (preferably dark glass to protect the oil from light)
• Cheesecloth or fine strainer
• Funnel (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Lavender

• If you’re using fresh lavender, harvest it in the morning after any dew has dried, and hang it upside down in a dry, dark place for a week to dry completely. Dried lavender is preferable for infusing oil because it minimizes the risk of introducing moisture that could lead to mold.
• Gently crush the dried lavender buds to release their oils. You can do this by lightly pressing them with a rolling pin or your hands.

Fill the Jar

• Place the crushed lavender buds into a clean, dry glass jar. Fill the jar about halfway with lavender buds.

Add the Carrier Oil

• Pour your carrier oil over the lavender buds until the jar is almost full, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Make sure the lavender is fully submerged in the oil.

Seal and Infuse

• Tightly seal the jar with a lid and shake it gently to ensure the lavender and oil are well combined.
• Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot, such as a windowsill, for about 2-4 weeks. Shake the jar every few days to help the infusion process.

Strain the Oil

• After 2-4 weeks, strain the oil through cheesecloth or a fine strainer into another clean glass jar or bottle. Squeeze the cheesecloth to extract as much oil as possible from the lavender.

Store the Oil

• Transfer the strained oil to a dark glass bottle to protect it from light, which can degrade it over time.
• Store the oil in a cool, dark place. Lavender-infused oil should last for about 6 months to a year, depending on the freshness of the lavender and the carrier oil used.

Tips

• Double-Infusion Method: For a stronger lavender oil, repeat the process by adding fresh dried lavender buds to the strained oil and letting it infuse again for several weeks.
• Use High-Quality Ingredients: The quality of your oil depends on the quality of the lavender and carrier oil you use. Opt for organic lavender and a high-quality carrier oil to ensure a pure, beneficial final product.

Other Popular Uses of Lavender

• Lavender Syrup: Lavender syrup is a fragrant and versatile sweetener made from lavender blossoms. It adds a subtle floral flavor to beverages like cocktails, lemonades, teas, desserts, and baked goods.
• Lavender Lemonade: Lavender adds a floral note to classic lemonade, providing a refreshing and calming twist. The subtle herbal flavor balances the tartness of the lemons, making it a popular summer drink.
• Lavender Tea: Lavender tea, made by steeping dried lavender buds, actively reduces stress, promotes relaxation, and aids in sleep due to its calming properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lavender Oil Best For?

Lavender oil actively reduces stress and anxiety, improves sleep quality, relieves headaches and migraines, soothes skin irritations, eases muscle and arthritis pain, heals minor wounds and cuts, and promotes relaxation and mood enhancement.

Can I Apply Lavender Oil Directly to Skin?

Yes, you can apply lavender oil directly to the skin, though it’s generally best to dilute it with a carrier oil (like coconut, almond, or jojoba oil) to prevent skin irritation, particularly for sensitive skin. Lavender oil is one of the few essential oils safe for direct use in small amounts on minor burns, insect bites, or acne spots.

How to Use Lavender Oil for Anxiety and Sleep?

• For Anxiety: It can be inhaled through diffusion or applied topically. Place a few drops in a diffuser, or dilute and apply to pulse points like the wrists, temples, or behind the ears for calming effects. You can also rub a few drops on your palms, inhale deeply, and relax.

• For Sleep: It can help promote restful sleep. Diffuse the oil in your bedroom before bed, or add a few drops to your pillow, bedding, or a sleep spray. You can also dilute the oil and massage it into the soles of your feet or behind your neck to encourage relaxation and ease into sleep.

Does Lavender Oil Repel Mosquitoes?

Yes, lavender oil has natural insect-repelling properties and can be effective in repelling mosquitoes. Its strong scent, which is pleasant to humans, is unappealing to mosquitoes. You can apply diluted lavender oil to your skin or diffuse it outdoors to help keep mosquitoes at bay.

Is Inhaling Lavender Oil Good for You?

Yes, inhaling lavender oil is beneficial for reducing stress, anxiety, and promoting relaxation. It also has positive effects on sleep quality, mood, and may even relieve headaches. Aromatherapy with lavender oil is a popular way to reap its calming benefits and support mental wellness.

Is There a Difference Between Lavender Essential Oil and Lavender Oil?

Yes, there is a difference:

• Lavender Essential Oil: This is the purest, most concentrated form of lavender oil, extracted directly from lavender flowers through steam distillation. It contains all the potent therapeutic compounds and serves in aromatherapy, skincare, and wellness practices.
• Lavender Oil: This term often refers to a diluted version of lavender essential oil, mixed with a carrier oil or other ingredients. It can also refer to infused lavender oil, where lavender flowers are steeped in a carrier oil to extract their properties, making it less concentrated than essential oil.